Eating dates on an empty stomach is a useful nutritional habit as it is rich in important nutrients, but some people may suffer from severe stomach pain after eating it.
This is due to several reasons related to the nature of the digestive system and the state of the stomach, and the cause may be linked to an increase in acidity or the sensitivity of the digestive system of some dates components, which leads to a feeling of discomfort or acute pain.
The effect of dates on the acidity of the stomach
Dates contain natural sugars and acids that may stimulate the production of acid in the stomach, which may be annoying for people with reflux esophagus or stomach ulcers.
And when eating dates on an empty stomach, it can increase the secretion of the acid, which leads to a feeling of heartburn or severe pain in the top of the abdomen, and this is getting worse when eating dates in large quantities, or when there are infections in the stomach lining.
The role of fiber in stomach disorders
Dates are foods rich in dietary fiber, which is useful for the health of the digestive system in general, but eating a large amount of it on an empty stomach may be difficult for the sensitive stomach, and the fibers may slow down the digestion process and lead to a feeling of bloating or stomach cramps, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome or digestive disorders.
The effect of sugar on the digestive system
Dates contain a high percentage of simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose, which may cause sudden changes in blood sugar levels, and these sugars may stimulate the process of fermentation in the intestine, which leads to the accumulation of gases and a feeling of discomfort in the stomach, and eating dates in large quantities may cause diarrhea or intestinal disorders in some people, especially if the digestive system is unusual.
How to avoid pain when eating dates on an empty stomach
To reduce the possibility of pain, dates can be taken with a warm drink such as milk or water to reduce its effect on the stomach, and it is also best to eat dates in moderate quantities, especially if you have problems in the digestive system, and you can try eating dates with a snack instead of eating it on a completely empty stomach, which helps reduce its acute effect on the stomach, and if the pain continues after taking it, it is better to consult a doctor to assess the health condition and make sure that there are no problems Digestive need treatment.
